Virginia Governor Ralph S. Northam

WHEREAS, floods are the most common and costly natural disaster in our country; and

WHEREAS, 90 percent of all presidential declarations of emergency and major disasters involve flooding; and

WHEREAS, about 200 Americans lose their lives in floods each year; and

WHEREAS, on average, flood damages throughout the nation annually exceed $3 billion, and as of January 31, 2019, flood insurance claims in Virginia totaled more than $730 million; and

WHEREAS, both direct and indirect costs of flood recovery are borne by all American taxpayers, not just flood victims; and

WHEREAS, Virginia has 2.3 million acres of mapped special flood hazard areas, which represents 9 percent of Virginia's land mass; and

WHEREAS, only 3 percent of Virginians statewide are covered by flood insurance; and

WHEREAS, only 31 percent of people who live in a special flood hazard area have flood insurance; and

WHEREAS, floods can happen without warning and all Virginians should know their risk; and

WHEREAS, citizens can view mapped special flood hazard areas on the Virginia Flood Risk Information System available on the website of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, the lead state agency responsible for administering flood-related programs; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management produces important public information on flood risk and response; and

WHEREAS, Flood Awareness Week is intended educate Virginians as to the potential risk to life and property from flooding and promote the purchase of flood insurance by all Virginians;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ralph S. Northam, do hereby recognize the week of March 8-14, 2020, as FLOOD AWARENESS WEEK in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.